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Why should someone play as a solo survivor?

Entità
Entità Member Posts: 1,583
edited May 2019 in General Discussions

@not_Queen @Patricia @Peanits @Shelby Why should a player decide to face a trial as a solo survivor?

1) If you are found by the killer when the generator's progression is at 90%, no one will care to finish it while you are being chased or hooked: when you can go back, you will probably find it badly damaged.

2) You have the strong suspicion that the killer uses NOED, so you patience, choose Small Game and go around the map to earn a few points by cleansing dull totems, but you are not invulnerable: the killer chases you, hooks you, and the gaming events prevent you from beating the map in palm, until you discover the bitter surprise that your three unknown companions have completely ignored the problem and left the last, crucial totem standing.

3) If you need a hand after a ruinous chase, resign yourself: no torch bearer will come out of the dark corner to try to save you.

4) Is the killer camping you? You're dead: which sole survivor would ever use Borrowed Time?

5) You are good at keeping the killer, you keep them busy for a few minutes, but the gens don't progress: you discover, at your expense, that the rest of the team has had fun searching for chests or wandering around with Urban Evasion here and there.

6) You want to try your luck and equip Plunderer's Instinct + Ace in the Hole, but nobody knows it and you bitterly discover that they anticipated you, opening all the chests.

7) One of your very selfless companions has been hooked and you feel the moral imperative to repay the favor, so you abandon the heal or the gen and you launch yourself to the rescue, only to discover that someone beat you on time for a few seconds: you have lost time, the efficiency of the team has fallen and so the hopes of victory, and, if luck leaves you, you are also intercepted halfway and hooked a few meters from your unknown friend.

8) You're hanging on the hook, well, it's normal, it's part of the game, but nobody comes to save you... the classic case of the bad Samaritan: everyone thinks that others are providing for the rescue, and nobody moves.

9) Great game, you're running towards the exit with blood dripping from your side: << Hey, friend, down there, please, shield me with your body, I miss a few meters...>>. Hem... nope. You die. I will not waste another point on the list to make the corresponding example of the bodyblock near the hook, but there is also that, yes.

10) The killer is breathing down your neck, smells your blood, but you dash towards the labyrinth, anticipating a few seconds of breath: here, salvation is there, turn the corner and press the button instinctively while the enemy loads a deadly lunge... and you fall to the ground, among the broken planks of a pallet that no one has informed you of having already used.

11) I could still go on, but I don't want to bore you.


Now, given that who plays as a solo survivor:

A) enjoys a myriad of exceptional advantages in the gameplay, listed above (irony activated, if someone does not understand the point);

B) is not rewarded for the greater difficulty with more bloodpoints or better emblems;

C) is likely to suffer the wrath of a furious killer, barely bullied by a toxic team and therefore eager for a bloody revenge against the next band of four uncoordinated and clumsy idiots;

D) often loses due to macroscopic errors of unknown friends, with whom they will not even have the pleasure of laughing at the end of the game;

E) accumulates frustration more easily than fun;

for what absurd reason should they not immediately switch to the killer role or find some toxic friend with whom to abuse the killer or, in the absence of such solutions, stop playing and move on to something else? Why should the sole survivor accept a so disadvantaged game, full of penalties? Aren't their money, their time, their satisfaction, as precious as those of the team or the killer?


Please don't make me a list of remedies or strategies to play alone: that's not the point, I'm not looking for advice. The point is fairness. A written exam in a foreign language can be taken with or without a dictionary, but it is not permissible for some candidates to have a dictionary and others to be without them: not only the candidates with the dictionary enjoy an unfair advantage, but the examining commission cannot even prepare a test of the right difficulty.


In other words, it is so difficult to introduce information sharing mechanics that make the solo survivor's game as feasible as that of the teams, without adding anything to them, who already enjoy unlimited voice chat, and consequently strengthen the killers and make a place clean of so much toxicity on both sides? Auras, number of remaining totems, animated icons... just... something, please! And SOON™, please! :)

Post edited by Entità on

Comments

  • George_Soros
    George_Soros Member Posts: 2,270

    I play solo so I feel less guilty when farming the heck out of my "teammates". Also, makes it easier on my conscience to leave them sore losers on the hook, while I escape.

  • GodDamn_Angela
    GodDamn_Angela Member Posts: 2,213

    Because I enjoy it?

  • Entità
    Entità Member Posts: 1,583

    @TheBean You didn't get the point. The teams share unlimited information for free, and the killers suffer their perfect coordination, while the solitary players are pins that fall easily. Is a satisfying middle ground for everyone to ask too much? :)

  • GodDamn_Angela
    GodDamn_Angela Member Posts: 2,213

    They are looking in to ways to do this they just haven't figured out how exactly.


    And if they add too much it could clutter the UI.

  • Orion
    Orion Member Posts: 21,675

    That pressure is why I play survivor, because pressure followed by the rush of victory is one of the best feelings there is.

    The devs are buffing solo players, but it takes time to get the mechanics just right.

  • tt_ivi_99
    tt_ivi_99 Member Posts: 1,463

    It is true that playing solo survivor can be a really bad experience some times.

    Imo things like Aura reading and information are great ideas to close the gap but you have to understand that solo survivors will never be at the same lvl as SWF teams.

  • fluffybunny
    fluffybunny Member Posts: 2,161
    edited May 2019

    First Portion:

    1. You get more points (BP and emblem) the more you work on generators. Sometimes the randoms you're playing with will be nearby or come across the gen, too.
    2. It's better to wait until end game to deal with NOED. You waste too much time going around, cleansing totems. Mind you during this time, people are running the killer and wasting pallets. The less pallets you have on the map, the more likely you'll be in a dead zone and easily killed. Small Game is somewhat of a wasted perk slot, too.
    3. Sometimes people will come for you, sometimes they won't. It's rather random.
    4. Remember while playing solo, people are often in SWF of 3 or 2 and sometimes people bring in BT for a random build depending on what they're facing. If I go against a lot of campers, I'll bring in BT. I'm also good enough to know how to block someone being tunneled and willing to swap with the hooked person.
    5. Depends on ranking, really. Ultimately your goal is to lose the killer. You won't pip or get a lot of points by being chased all game.
    6. They're just opening the chests. It isn't to spite you. COMMUNICATE beforehand that you have the perk and can get them nice items.
    7. This is why Bond is so useful. You can see someone heading for it ahead of time. Regardless, you can join for a heal. Makes it quicker and the person you were wanting to save would be more likely to be healed if the killer were to come back. If you're intercepted, loop and try to lose the killer.
    8. Yeah, this scenario sucks. Why I recommend not getting hooked while solo. It's 50/50 if people will bother to come save you.
    9. It sucks when people don't body block you on your way out, but there isn't anything to encourage them to try to get everyone out. Sometimes you'll get the helpful kind who'll block and help you out. Sometimes you don't.
    10. Why would people inform you it's used? They wouldn't do so in SWF. It's part of your job to keep an eye on the map around you and if you're running towards a place where you think there might be a pallet, maybe you shouldn't. If you're having troubles going to places that may or may not have a pallet, maybe don't over extend yourself (going past a pallet) or bring Windows to see where pallets are.
    11. Ok

    Second:

    • I don't think you're saying what you think you're saying
    • Solo play should be adjusted to be tolerable when compared to SWF, not compensated for playing the "harder" mode
    • Create your perk build according to what helps you survive that day. If you come across a lot of campers, BT.
    • Also your errors, too. It isn't just your teammates in the game. Keep that in mind

    Not every SWF is toxic, though playing Killer mode could be a change of pace if you're getting sick of being camped or tunneled or having incompetent survivor friends. You always have the choice to play killer. It'll help you survive if you learn the other side.

  • Visionmaker
    Visionmaker Member Posts: 2,051

    No friends.

    The best way to play solo is to play Killer.

  • ABannedCat
    ABannedCat Member Posts: 2,529

    I am solo, and I am running Borrowed Time. I hope we get into a match once time.

  • lasombra1979
    lasombra1979 Member Posts: 1,142

    I play solo because I enjoy it. I like the idea of surviving at any cost (including using other survivors as meat shields). I find it more thrilling than SWF honestly.

  • Blueberry
    Blueberry Member Posts: 13,671

    I strictly play solo and prefer it that way. It's scarier, more challenging and I don't feel required to save people if it's too risky.

  • Entità
    Entità Member Posts: 1,583
    edited May 2019

    @Kanzaki @fluffybunny I never said that those problems are insurmountable or that it is impossible to win alone: it is not right that some players, apparently an absolute majority, according to statistics, must face more difficult trials than others, due to lack of information, which makes:

    1) the voice chat a free sum of extra perks for the teams;

    2) the balance between solos, killers, and teams more difficult;

    3) consequently, the game more toxic, due to the injustice perceived by the solos against the killers, and by the killers against the teams (coincidentally, both factions complain that they are disadvantaged by the developers and demand changes to become stronger).

    I'm simply asking for equal opportunities for all players to have fun.


    @Visionmaker I play Myers with pleasure, but I don't want him to be a fallback because the life of the lone survivor is damned tougher than right. Incidentally, I would like to try all the killers, but the medium-high rank achieved with Myers prevents me from trying, I know, with the Hag, the Hillbilly, Freddy, the Spirit ... because I would touch them for the first time by playing to a much higher rank than my (nothing) experience with them, but that's another story ( https://forum.deadbydaylight.com/en/discussion/58081/every-killer-needs-their-own-rank ).


    @lasombra1979 I avoid farming my companions or deliberately bringing the killer to them, if I can: I don't like being a junkie, neither with the opponent nor with allies.

  • GrootDude
    GrootDude Member Posts: 14,110

    I’m trying empathy more so if you get injured I’ll know the gen you were on.

  • Entità
    Entità Member Posts: 1,583

    @TreemanXD Try Aftercare: you can see all people, and they can see you. :)

  • GrootDude
    GrootDude Member Posts: 14,110

    @Entità I’ll give it a try. :)

  • lasombra1979
    lasombra1979 Member Posts: 1,142

    @Entità I do not deliberately sandbag other survivors but if they are nearby, well, congrats, here is a Legion, happy birthday.

  • TheGameZpro3
    TheGameZpro3 Member Posts: 699

    Because some of us don't have friends that play on the console you use to play DbD. (None of my friends own a Xbox)

  • slingshotsurvivor
    slingshotsurvivor Member Posts: 943

    Welp most console players play solo so.... 🤷‍♀️ However with the pip changes it's much better than before.

  • DemonDaddy
    DemonDaddy Member Posts: 4,167

    Cause its a good way to improve your own skills without being carried to victory or fed information you didn't learn yourself. It also shows you the value of perk choice.

  • frozen_in_shadow
    frozen_in_shadow Member Posts: 50

    I strictly play solo on ps4 because I love the unknown (challenge). I never know how each game is going to play out so it makes me adjust throughout each game to everyone's play style. Plus I am kinda shy so talking with others is out of the question. Honestly of the many games I have played I have only come across a handful of crappy teams. Most are great and play together well.

  • CrtKazz
    CrtKazz Member Posts: 214

    Get into Red Ranks every month as a solo survivor. The frustrations that’s mentioned are valid but you adapt to your games. I stopped being as altruistic as a solo player unless I’m running perks to give me map awareness for example. I don’t want to say “get good” but just try changing play styles.

  • Entità
    Entità Member Posts: 1,583

    @Orion @Scgamecock86 @TheBean @George_Soros @GodDamn_Angela @tt_ivi_99 @Kanzaki @fluffybunny @Visionmaker @ABannedCat @lasombra1979 @Blueberry @TreemanXD @TheGameZpro3 @slingshotsurvivor @DemonDaddy @frozen_in_shadow @CrtKazz Please don't make me a list of remedies or strategies to play alone: that's not the point, I'm not looking for advice. The point is fairness. A written exam in a foreign language can be taken with or without a dictionary, but it is not permissible for some candidates to have a dictionary and others to be without them: not only the candidates with the dictionary enjoy an unfair advantage, but the examining commission cannot even prepare a test of the right difficulty.


    @not_Queen @Patricia @Peanits @Shelby Any hope to have some info about this topic during the LONG™ livestream? :)

  • CallMeSpidey
    CallMeSpidey Member Posts: 625

    Borrowed Time. Balanced Landing. Self Care and Decisive Strike is my solo build.

    Solo is fun at times.

    Not all the time.

  • Entità
    Entità Member Posts: 1,583

    @CallMeSpidey Have you read the OP until the very end?

  • laKUKA
    laKUKA Member Posts: 406

    SImple! Run bond perk and you will see if they making their jobs , PLAY GOOD!.

    BUT if they doing nothing just DC or make the game salty for them lol!

  • Justicar
    Justicar Member Posts: 319

    I'd much rather they simply remove SWF from the game than try to balance the game around it. If you want to play with your friends, go KYF instead.

  • FrenziedRoach
    FrenziedRoach Member Posts: 2,600

    Because I don't have the patience to deal with 3 other people and their bathroom breaks and other RL breaks?

    Because I find SWF boring as hell when all the information is just getting fed to me without any effort from me?

  • HeHeBoii
    HeHeBoii Member Posts: 507

    Because it’s a game and the player wants to play survivor instead of crying about the experience of a game that’s meant to be tough solo?

  • Mochan
    Mochan Member Posts: 2,886
    edited May 2019

    I play Solo Survivor almost exclusively. I have only one friend in my friend list who plays the game and we sometimes play together. Sometimes.

    It's no big deal. Also I have found that my survival rates are more or less the same whether I play 2-SWF or solo. In fact sometimes I even survive better on my own rather than with a friend. Having a friend around throws the mechanics of my usual gameplay a bit so I tend to die more.

    Ultimately what decides your win is your skill and that of your teammates.

    Playing solo is a lot of fun, and it's no-nonsense. I don't need to deal with other people, talking with them, etc. Sometimes I don't want to and I just want to play.



    I don't know what buffs they can do to solo survivors. Make Bond baseline? The in return make things like NoEd baseline on the killer end. Things killers have been asking for. Things like that.

  • Mister_xD
    Mister_xD Member Posts: 7,669

    because i actually enjoy it?

    yes, the escape rate is lower than with a coordinated SWF, but i like the challenge.

    and if im the last one to die (on my 1st hook), that is enough proof to me, that i did good.


    the only thing that i have to admit that really sucks the fun out of it, are your teammates. complete potatoes that rage quit as soon as they go down, leaving you in a 3v1 with 5 gens to do (which is basically impossible).

    #WeNeedHigherDCPenalities!